Players leave Port Adelaide

THE Port Adelaide playing roster has considerably slimmed down after the club announced the delisting and retirement of four of its players.

Marlon Motlop, Callum Hay and Matthew Westhoff have all been let go by the club while Danny Meyer has announced his retirement from AFL football.

Meyer, 25, played nine games for the Power over two seasons after he joined from Richmond in 2009, but failed to play a single game this season after being hampered by on-going groin injuries.

Motlop was recruited to Port Adelaide as a second round selection at the 2007 AFL Draft, but wasn't able to add to his tally of five games for the Power this season after battling foot and finger injuries.

Hay, 19, was recruited to the Power via pick number 33 at the 2011 AFL Rookie Draft, but remained on the rookie list for the entire season, failing to play an AFL game.

Westhoff played six games across seasons 2008 and 2009 but a groin injury interrupted his 2010 campaign and he was placed on the club's rookie list.

However, the 23-year-old failed to play an AFL game this season.

Port Adelaide Football Operations Manager Peter Rohde said none of the decisions were lightly made but hoped the pain of losing current players would help evolve the roster into a competitive force for the future.

"Unfortunately, there are only limited places on an AFL list and sadly there are always a few players at this time of the year who miss out," Rohde said.

"In terms of list management though, it's important that we have some spots available so that we can improve and develop our playing list through the upcoming trade and draft period.

"Each one of Danny, Marlon, Callum and Matthew have been outstanding characters to have around the club and they've all made some sort of contribution during their time.

"On behalf of the club, I thank them for their service and wish them and their families all the very best for the future."